Last night’s Primetime Emmy Awards saw history being made as HBO drama ‘Game Of Thrones’ took home an unprecedented 12 awards and ‘How To Get Away With Murder's' Viola Davis became the first black actress to win the outstanding lead actress in a drama series award.

Viola Davis was named outstanding lead actress in a drama series.

‘Game of Throne’s’ 12 gongs is more than any other series has won in a single year at the awards show. Among the trophies picked up by the fantasy series were, outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for Peter Dinklage and outstanding directing for a drama series going to David Nutter. The show also beat ‘Mad Men’ to scoop the outstanding drama series award.

But history was also made by 'How To Get Away With Murder's' Viola Davis who is now the first black actress to win the outstanding lead actress in a drama series award. Accepting the award Davis said, "The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone is opportunity. You cannot win Emmys for roles that are not there.”

Now that Jon Hamm’s run as Don Draper has come to an end the ‘Mad Men’ actor finally got his Emmy, taking home the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series after seven previous nominations. "Thank you to everybody who watched the show and thank you for this,” Hamm said, accepting the Emmy from Tina Fey.

Another big winner on the night was HBO’s ‘Veep’, which was named outstanding comedy series. Writers Armando Iannucci, Simon Blackwell and Tony Roche were also awarded for outstanding writing for a comedy series, while star Julia Louis-Dreyfus was named outstanding actress in a comedy series.

Miniseries 'Olive Kitteridge' also had a good night, being named best miniseries and Frances McDormand taking home the award for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie. Richard Jenkins was also honoured, being named outstanding lead actor in a miniseries.

Other big winners included ‘Inside Amy Schumer’ for best variety sketch series and ‘The Daily Show’ for outstanding variety series. The 67th annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held in downtown Los Angeles and hosted by comedian Andy Samberg. The ceremony aired live in the US on Fox.